Coupler and yoke connection



Dec. 3, 1935. J. FQOCONNO'R COUPLER AND YOKE CONNECTION Filed Feb. 19, 1931 Patented Dec. 3, 1935 UNITED STATES COUPLER AND YOKE CONNECTION John F. OConnor, Chicago, Ill., assignor to W. H. Miner, Inc, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application February 19, 1931, Serial No. 516,889

9 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in coupler and yoke connections.

One object of the invention is to provide a swivel connection between coupler and yoke of a draft rigging, wherein the coupler is provided with a butt block on which the coupler proper pivots, the butt block being connected to the coupler member in such a manner as to relieve the pivot pin connection between the coupler and yoke from strain.

A further object of the invention is to provide a coupler andyoke connection, wherein the yoke carries means on which the coupler is directly swiveled, the swivel connection being provided by cooperating, interengaging curved rib and groove formations through which the pulling force in draft is directly transmitted from the coupler shank to the butt block.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a coupler and yoke connection including a pivot block through which the coupler key extends, and a pivot pin extending through the block and the yoke and about which the coupler shank swings, wherein the coupler shank has curved bearing surfaces cooperating with similar bearing surfaces of the yoke to transmit bufiing shocks, and wherein the pivot block and coupler shank are provided with interfitting tongue and groove formations, concentric to the pivot pin,

connecting the coupler to the pivot block in draft and relieving the pin from strain.

Other objects of the invention will more clearly appear from the description and claims hereinafter following.

In the drawing, forming a part of this specification, Figure l is a horizontal, longitudinal sectional view through the underframe structure at one end of a railway car, illustrating my improvements in connection therewith. Figure 2 is a vertical, sectional view corresponding substantially to the line 22 of Figure 1, parts being broken away to accommodate the view to the sheet of drawing. Figure 3 is a detailed perspective view of a pivot block employed in connection with the improvements shown in Figures 1 and 2, said block being partly broken away. Figure 4 is a View similar to Figure 2, illustrating a different embodiment of the invention. And Figure 5 is a vie-w similar to Figure 2, illustrating still I another embodiment of the invention.

Referring first to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3, Ill-l8 indicate channel shaped center or draft sills of a railway car underframe structure. At the outer ends the sills are provided with a combined striking casting and front stop member l I having side walls l2- -I2 provided with aligned coupler key guide slots |3l3. As shown, the slots are both interiorly and exteriorly reinforced by flanges surrounding the same, the exterior flanges being 5 seated in suitable openings l4-l4 provided in the webs of the sills Ill-4B. At the inner end of the casting vertical flanges are provided and the walls of the interior reinforcing flanges are thickened as shown, thereby providing the stop 1 lugs proper [5-4 5. At the forward end the striking casting H projects outwardly beyond the front ends of the sills l0 and has the usual striking face which cooperates with the head of the coupler. The casting I I issecured to the sills in 1 any suitable manner and as herein shown is riveted thereto, the rivets extending through the side walls of the casting and the webs of the sills. The casting also has a carry iron member I6 at the forward end thereof which supports the 20 shank of the usual coupler, a wear plate I! being superimposed on the carry iron and directly engaging the bottom surface of the coupler shank. A shock absorbing mechanism of conventional form is indicated at H3. The mechanism herein 25 illustrated is of the friction type and comprises the usual friction shell having friction shoes and a wedge member cooperating therewith. As will be understood, the shell of the friction shock absorbing mechanism contains the usual spring re- 30 sistance which opposes inward movement of the shoes and wedge. The front follower l9 cooperates with the wedge of the friction shock absorbing mechanism and has its outward movement limited by engagement with the stop lugs 35 l5|5.

My improved coupler and yoke connection, as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, comprises, broadly, a yoke A; a coupler B; a pivot block C; and a pivot pin D. 40

The yoke member A is of the vertical type and theforward end portion thereof only is shown. As will be understood, the yoke A has top and bottom arms 2D20' which are connected at the rear end by the usual vertical section. The 45 shock absorbing mechanism l8 and the main front follower I9 are disposed withinthe yoke. At the forward ends the arms 20 of the yoke are thickened, as clearly shown in Figure 2, said thickened portions providing opposed interior 50 cylindrical bearing members 2|2|. The front end faces of the top and bottom arms 20-20 are convex, as indicated at 22, and merge with the front curved surfaces of the bearing projections 2l2l, As will be evident, a convex bear- 55 present concave bearing surfaces 24-24 which engage the convex end surfaces of the top and bottom yoke arms 20-20. The inner ends of the arms 23-23 are preferably rounded so as to present convex bearing surfaces for a purpose hereinafter pointed out. The opening between the arms 23-23 of the coupler butt extends forwardly beyond said arms and has a concave front bearing wall 25. Rearwardly of the bearing wall 25 the butt of the coupler shank is provided with opposed transverse curved grooves 26-26 which form bearing seats for a purpose hereinafter pointed out. 7

The pivot block C is disposed between the arms 2323 at the rear end of the coupler shank and has top and bottom vertical flanges 21-21 at the rear end thereof. The forward faces of the flanges 2I-2'I are concave and of such curvature as to fit the curved rear bearing surfaces of the bearing members 2I--2I The rear SUIT.- faces of the flanges 27-21 are in vertical alignment with the rear end face of the body proper of the bearing block C, and together therewith present a flat bearing surface which directly engages the front face of the front follower I9. As clearly shown in Figure 2, the arms 23--23 of the coupler shank extend rearwardly to the flanges ,2'I-2I and the curved end faces thereof have bearing engagement with the convex bearing seats at the forward sides of the flanges 21-21. At the forward end the block C has a convex bearing surface 28 which directly engages the concave bearing surface 25 of the coupler butt. At the forward end the block C has top and bottom arcuate, relatively thick bearing ribs 29-29 which are inwardly offset with respect to the bearing surface 28 and engage within the curved bearing grooves 26-25 on the interior of the coupler butt. The block is provided with a transverse coupler key receiving opening 30 which accommodates the coupler key 3|, the opposite ends of the latter being guided in the guide ways I3-I3 of the combined front striking casting and stop member.

The pivot pin D operatively connects the coupler shank to the yoke and extends through aligned openings in the bearing members 2I-2I at the forward end of the yoke arms 20, rearwardly projecting arms 23-23 of the coupler shank, and the main body portion of the pivot block C. As clearly shown in Figure 2, the pivot pin D is notched at the forward side to receive the rear edge of the coupler key; thereby holding the pin against vertical displacement. The pivot pin D is so arranged that it is concentric to the cooperating curved bearing surfaces 22 and 24 of the yoke arms and the coupler butt, the curved bearing surfaces 25 and 28 of the coupler shank and the pivot block C, and the curved bearing surfaces of the cooperating ribs 29 and grooves 26 of the coupler shank. The convex bearing surfaces at the forward sides of the flanges 2I-2I of the pivot block C and the convex faces at the inner ends of the arms 2323 of the coupler shank are also made concentric with the pivotal axis of the pin D.

As will be evident, the tongue and groove connection between the coupler shank and the pivot block C securely anchors this block to the coupler, and during a draft action the pulling force is transmitted mainly through this tongue and groove connection to the block C and from the latter through the flanges 2I-.-2'I to the yoke member. During an inward or buffing movement of the coupler the force is transmitted mainly through the shoulders of the coupler butt to the bearing surfaces at the forward ends of the top and bottom arms 20-20 of the yoke. Another advantage is that the pivot pin D is thus relieved from excessive strains at all times, both during buff and draft. In the event that the coupler key 3| comes into engagement with the front end walls of the guide slots I3--I3 at the end of the draft action, the pull will be transmitted through the ribs 29 and not directly through the pin D.

Referring next to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 4, the construction come prises, broadly, a yoke E; a coupler F; a pivot 5 block G; and a pivot pin H.

The yoke member E has top and bottom arms I20--I20 similar to the arms of the yoke A hereinbefore described. The yoke E is also of the vertical type and incloses the usual shock absorbing mechanism and front follower. At the forward ends the arms I 20.I2 0.of the yoke are inwardly thickened as indicated at I 2I.-I2!, thereby providing interior top and bottom limiting shoulders I22--I22 which are engaged by 5 the front face of the main follower, which indicated by H9. The front end edges of the thickened portions I2I-I2l of the arms are rounded .off to provide convex bearing surfaces The coupler member F is similar to the member B hereinbefore described and has an en-. larged butt portion provided with rearwaldly extending spaced arms I24-I2 4 which are offset inwardly with respect to the top and bottom of the butt. Bearing shoulders I 25I2 5 are thus provided on the coupler butt which cooperate with the shoulders or bearing surfaces I23..-I28 at the forward ends of the arms of the yoke. The bearing surfaces I25--I25 are concave so as to fit the convex surfaces I 23-423. The opening between the arms I24--I24 of the coupler butt extends forwardly of the arms and has a concave front bearing wall I26 which is engaged by the convex bearing surface IZ'I at the forward end of the bearing block G. The bearing block G is similar to the bearing block C hereinbefore described, but does not have the flanges at the rear end thereof. At the forward end the block G is provided with top and bottom arcuate ribs IZB-IZS engaging within grooves l29wl2s of the coupler butt. The ribs I28 and the grooves I29 are concentric with the bearing surfaces I26 and I21. The bearing surfaces I23 at the forward ends of the arms I20 and the cooperating bearing surfaces I25 of the coupler butt are also concentric with the bearing surfaces hereinbefore referred to.

The pivot pin H connects the yoke and coupler shank and extends through the thickened por-. tiohs I 2II2I of the yoke arms, the rearwardly extending arms I24 I24 of the coupler shank and the main body portion of the block the pin being concentric to all of the bearing surfaces hereinbefore described. The inner ends of the cave bearing seats 232-232.

arms I 24-! 24 of the coupler shank are preferably rounded so as to properly clear the front face of the main follower H9 during the swiveling movement of the coupler with respect to the yoke. The coupler key, which is indicated by I3 I, connects the pivot block G to the draft sills, in the slots of which the key is slidable. As shown, the pin H is also provided with a notch which receives the rear edge of the coupler key to prevent vertical movement of the pin.

Referring next to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 5, the same comprises, broadly, a yoke J having a connecting tongue for the coupler; a coupler K; and a pivot pin L.

The yoke J is also of the vertical type and has the usual top and bottom arms which are indicated by 223-220. The arms are rounded at their forward ends to present convex bearing surfaces 221-221. Inwardly of the bearing surfaces 221-22! the top and bottom arms of the yoke are provided with vertically aligned pin receiving openings 222-222 which are concentric to the bearing surfaces 22I-22I. The top and bottom arms of the yoke are connected by a vertical wall 223 adjacent the forward ends of the arms, said wall being spaced inwardly from the pin receiving openings 222-222. The Wall 223 is provided with a forwardly projecting central tongue 224 which extends outwardly beyond the outer ends of the top and bottom arms of the yoke and has top and bottom arcuate bearing ribs 229-229 thereon which are oifset inwardly with respect to the forward end of the block. The ribs 229-229 are concentric to the axis of the pin openings 222-222. At the forward end the tongue 224 has a convex bearing face 230 which cooperates with an interior bearing surface 23! on the coupler butt. The front faces of the wall 223 above and below the tongue 224 are curved to provide concave bearing seats 232-232. The bearing seats 232-232 are 'also concentric with the axis of the pin openings 222-222. The coupler butt is provided with a pair of rearwardly extending arms 233-233 similar to the arms of the butt of the coupler B hereinbefore described in connection with Figures 1, 2 and 3. The arms 233-233 have convex rear bearing surfaces 234-234 which engage with the con- The arms 233-233 are offset with respect to the top and bottom of the coupler butt, and the offset portions provide convex bearing surfaces 235-235 which cooperate with the bearing surfaces 22l-22l at the forward ends of the yoke arms. The coupler butt is also provided with internal arcuate grooves 236-236 which receive the arcuate ribs 229-229 of the tongue 224.

The yoke member is connected to the coupler by means of the pivot pin L which extends through-the openings 222-222 of the arms of the yoke and through aligned openings provided in the rearwardly extending arms 233-233 of the coupler shank and through the tongue 224. A key 231 is also provided which extends through the tongue 224 and is guided in the coupler key guide slots in the draft sills in the usual manner. Removal of the pin L is prevented by the key having engagement within a notch of the same.

In the construction illustrated in Figure 5 the buffing strains are transmitted through bearing surfaces at the inner ends of the arms of the coupler butt to the bearing surfaces of the vertical wall 223 and also through curved bearing shoulders at the top and bottom of the coupler butt to the bearing surfaces at the forward ends of the top and bottom arms of the yoke. During a draft action the pulling force is transmitted from the coupler shank to the tongue 224 directly 5 through the interengaging tongue and groove formation formed by ribs 229 and the grooves 235. As will be evident, the pivot pin L is thus at all times relieved from strain.

The pivotal connection between the coupler and 10 the pivot block or pivot member carried by the yoke provides for lateral swinging movement of the coupler shank with respect to the yoke without imparting any swinging movement to the block or pivot member, whereby the transverse 5 position of the coupler key is not altered to any appreciable extent during service. The swinging or swiveling movement of the coupler shank is thus not interfered with through engagement of the coupler key with the end walls of the guide 20 slots of the draft sills.

I have herein shown and described what I now consider the preferred manner of carrying out my invention, but the same is merely illustrative and I contemplate all changes and modifications that 25 come within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. In a coupler connection, the combination with a yoke open at the forward end, said yoke 30 having top and bottom interior shoulders; of a pivot block having top and bottom rear flanges engaging the shoulders of the yoke for holding said block against outward movement with respect to the yoke; a coupler having a shank having 35 bearing engagement with the outer end of the yoke to transmit buffing shocks thereto; a pivot pin connecting said block and coupler shank to the yoke; and swiveling means locking said block to the coupler shank, including curved interengag- 4'0 ing tongue and groove formations on said block and coupler shank, said tongue and groove formations being concentric with said pin.

2. In a coupler connection, the combination with a yoke open at the forward end, said yoke 45 having top and bottom interior shoulders; of a pivot block within the open end of said yoke, said block having top and bottom flanges engaging the shoulders of the yoke to hold said block against outward movement; a coupler having a shank 50 provided with top and bottom shoulders engaging with the outer end of the yoke, said shank having rearwardly extending spaced top and bottom arms embracing said block; and means of tongue and groove formation for swiveling said block to the coupler shank, including top and bottom arouate ribs on said block engaging in slots on the coupler shank.

3. In a coupler connection, the combination with a yoke open at the forward end, said yoke having top and bottom convex end walls providing bearing members; of a coupler having a shank provided with spaced top and bottom arms at the butt end thereof, said shank having concave bearing seats above and below said arms respectively engaging the convex walls of the yoke, said coupler shank also having interior transverse, curved bearing grooves between said arms; and a bearing block disposed between said arms, said block having top and bottom rear flanges having shouldered engagement with the yoke to hold said block against outward movement, said block also having top and bottom curved ribs at the forward end thereof having bearing engagement within the grooves of the coupler shank.

4. In a coupler connection, the combination with draft sills slotted to receive a key; of a yoke member having an outwardly opening pocket at the forward end, said pocket being defined by a vertical, transverse wall inset from the forward end of the yoke, said wall having a concave bearing surface; a centrally disposed, forwardly projecting tongue on said wall; a key slot in said tongue, said slot being closed at opposite ends; top and bottom curved bearing ribs at the for- Ward end of said tongue; a coupler having a shank provided with spaced top and bottom arms embracing said tongue, said arms having curved bearing grooves on the inner sides thereof within which said curved ribs of the tongue are engaged, said arms also having curved bearing surfaces at their inner ends seated on the concave bearing surfaces of the vertical wall of the yoke; a pivot pin extending through the yoke, the tongue and the arms of the coupler shank; and a key extending through the slots of the draft sills and the slot of said tongue.

5. In a coupler connection, the combination with a yoke member having top and bottom arms provided with convex front end faces; of a vertical wall connecting said arms, said wall being spaced inwardly from the forward ends of said arms to provide a pocket, said wall having concave bearing seats at the forward side thereof; a central tongue forwardly projecting from said wall, said tongue having top and bottom arcuate bearing ribs at the forward end thereof out wardly beyond the front ends of the yoke arms; a coupler having a shank provided with rearwardly extending, spaced arms, said arms being offset with respect to the top and bottom of the coupler shank, thereby providing top and bottom shoulders, said shoulders presenting concave bearing surfaces cooperating with the convex bearing surfaces of the yoke, said arms embracing the tongue and having convex end faces seated in the concave seats of the Vertical wall of the yoke, said coupler shank being transversely grooved between the arms thereof, said grooves receiving the ribs of the tongue and being correspondingly curved thereto; a coupler key extending through said tongue; and a pivot pin connecting the coupler shank to the yoke, said pin extending through said tongue.

7 6. In a coupler connection, the combination with a yoke having spaced top and bottom arms; of a: coupler having a shank, the butt of said shank including spaced top and bottom armsengaged between said top and bottom arms of the yoke; a connecting member movable with said yoke, engaged between said top and bottom arms of the coupler butt, said butt having curved bearing engagement with the outer ends of the yoke arms; a coupler key extending transversely through said member; and interengaging curved tongue and groove formations on said coupler butt and said connecting member, said formations being concentric to the engaging portions of the butt and arms of the yoke and disposed outwardly beyond the ends of said yoke arms. 10 7. In a coupler connection, the combination with a yoke having top and bottom arms, and rearwardly facing shoulders on said arms; of a pivot block between said arms having shouldered engagement with the shoulders of the yoke arms, said block having a portion projecting outwardly beyond the arms of the yoke provided with top and bottom curved ribs outwardly beyond the ends of said yoke arms; a pivot pin connecting said block to the yoke; and a coupler having a shank provided with rearwardly projecting top and bottom arms embraced by the yoke arms and embracing said pivot block, said arms having arcuate grooves accommodating the ribs of the blOCk. i

8. In a coupler connection, the combination with a yoke having spaced top and bottom arms; of a pivot block between said arms and extending outwardly beyond said arms, said block having top and bottom arcuateribs, said block being in shouldered engagement with the yoke to limit forward movement of the block, the ribs of said block being disposed outwardly beyond the ends of the arms of the yoke; a pivot pin connecting said block to the yoke; and a coupler having a shank provided with rearwardly extending top and bottom arms embraced by the yoke arms and embracing said block, said coupler shank having internal opposed arcuate grooves receiving the ribs of the blOCk. 40.

9. Ina coupler connection, the combination with a yoke having spaced top and bottom arms; of a coupler having a shank; connecting means movable with said yoke, said means including a forwardly extending arm between said yoke arms,

the butt of said coupler having spaced arms embracing said forwardly extending arm, said arms of the coupler shank engaging between the arms of the yoke; and interengaging tongue and groove formations on said coupler shank and forwardly v extending arm outwardly of the ends of the arms of the yoke for securing the coupler to said forwardly extending arm.

JOHN F. OCONNOR. 

